(Relaxnews) – New research has emerged that may comfort parents who fret that their toddler has delayed or deficient language skills. Because really, they could just be shy.

After evaluating 816 toddlers in Colorado, researchers from the University of Colorado and the University of Connecticut concluded that just because children were less verbally responsive, it wasn’t for lack of comprehension.

They understood what was being said and were capable of speech, but were merely reluctant to respond.